Fluid-Throat-Induced Shock Waves During the Ignition Transient of Solid Rockets

PREDICTION and control of pressure and pressure-rise rate during the ignition transient of solid-propellant rocket motors with a nonuniform port are of topical interest. In certain designs, an ignition pressure spike and a high rate of pressure rise may adversely affect the steadiness and stability of burning, thermoviscoelastic response of the grain and inhibitors, and the dynamic response of the hardware parts.1 An excessive pressurization rate can cause a failure even when the pressure is below the design limit.2,3 Although, a great deal of research has been done in the area of solid rocket motors (SRMs) for more than six decades, the accurate prediction of the ignition transient in ports of high-performance solid rocket, with sudden expansion and/or steep divergence/convergence or protrusions has not previously been accomplished.